Recap: Earthquakes win preseason finale, 2-1

Goals from Wondolowski, Fucito, penalty save from Busch help San Jose to win vs. FC Dallas

February 23, 2013

Frank Stranzl

SJEarthquakes.com

PORTLAND, Ore. – The San Jose Earthquakes closed their preseason with a 2-1 win against FC Dallas in the Portland Preseason Tournament at JELD-WEN Field on Saturday.

The Earthquakes wrapped up the round-robin event with a 1-0-2 clip, including a 3-3 draw against the Portland Timbers and a scoreless tie against AIK (Sweden).

Chris Wondolowski put the Earthquakes on the board early. Veteran defender Jason Hernandez lofted a ball over the FC Dallas back line that caught Wondolowski on the run perfectly. The reigning Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player smartly used his body to shield off a defender and elude a charging goalkeeper before sliding to tap the ball into an open net.

FC Dallas leveled in the 26th minute as Jackson blasted a shot from the top of the box that deflected off Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and into the goal.

San Jose didn’t wait long in the second half to find the decisive goal. Mike Fucito tallied for the second time in the tournament to take the lead back the 49th minute. The offseason acquisition capitalized on a deflected cross, collecting and firing past FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz to give the Earthquakes a 2-1 advantage.

With the lead in hand, Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch made one of the plays of the game with a penalty save in the 79th minute. Non-roster invitee John Bostock was whistled for a spot kick after making contact with FC Dallas forward Blas Perez in the box. Busch dove to his left to make the save on Perez and keep San Jose’s 2-1 lead intact.

The Earthquakes open their regular season against Real Salt Lake on Sunday, March 3 at Buck Shaw Stadium (7 p.m. PT / Comcast SportsNet California). The match will feature a Supporters’ Shield tribute, including a giveaway of 5,000 commemorative pennants courtesy of Visa.